Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WHAT WE’RE ALL SAYING FIONA PARKER We need give and take in EU divorce THE ISSUE
Theresa May has signalled the Government could be willing to pay up to £40billion to leave the EU so trade talks can start. But she faced a backlash from Tory Brexiteers who claim the money is a “ransom”. Here’s what you say...
The Brexiteers accuse the Remainers of making negative comments about Britain leaving the EU, but if the result of the referendum had been to remain in the union by the same margin, would that have stopped the Brexiteers from moaning? I don’t think so.
The consequences of Britain exiting the EU were never fully explained by the Leave campaigners and Brexit negotiations are now revealing just how difficult the divorce process is.
If and when we do actually leave, I predict it will be the Brexiteers who end up deflated and disappointed by the result.
Christine Hanks, Woking, Surrey
I read that the Government is considering a payment of £40billion to the EU for Brexit. That is far too much and should not be offered. Even our present offer of £20billion is too high.
If we have to leave without a deal we should do so without paying them anything. Instead of the EU being allowed to lead the Brexit talks with their demands, our negotiators should lead the way and spell out what the EU has to lose if it doesn’t agree to a fair deal.
Ian Bentley
Pudsey, West Yorks the NHS and the emergency services. It was conveniently not disclosed during the run-up to the vote, so together with all the lies that were told, the public should be given the chance to reconsider now that more genuine facts are emerging.
R Tandy, Liverpool
I just don’t know who gave Theresa May the mandate to give away our money to the EU. She held a snap election hoping to win a big majority and failed, so what gives her the right to go offering another £40billion of our money to Brussels?
Mrs May should get the go ahead from the people before she offers the EU another penny, or let’s see her have the guts to say to Michel Barnier and co that there will be no more money and no deals.
Let’s get rid of May and the Tories and go it alone.
R Wisson, Macclesfield, Cheshire
I think hard-line Brexiteers may well be pleased at the breakdown of talks to form a new coalition government in Germany and will see it as a sign of the EU failing.
However, I think although the EU has plenty of room for improvement, it has brought peace and stability to Europe after centuries of wars and it is a cause for concern that its strongest member, Germany, is facing possible political uncertainty.
Valerie Crews
Beckenham, Kent
Could I suggest that all MPS are made to watch the late Labour MP Peter Shore’s speech to the Oxford Union two days before the 1975 referendum held on our membership of the Common Market. He completely demolished Edward Heath’s argument in favour of joining and was ahead of his time as he foresaw all the problems the EU would bring.
Matthew Deacon, Bradford